CDFA Pest Prevention Plant Regulation Practice Exam

In what stage does the cereal leaf beetle overwinter?

1. Egg stage

2. Learal stage

3. Pupal stage

4. Adult stage

The correct answer is: Adult stage

The cereal leaf beetle overwinters in the adult stage. During the winter months, these adult beetles seek shelter in protected environments, such as leaf litter, under tree bark, or within other forms of debris. This adaptation allows them to endure the cold temperatures and scarcity of food during the winter. Overwintering in the adult stage is advantageous because these beetles can remain dormant until temperatures rise in spring, prompting them to emerge and resume their feeding and reproduction activities on crops such as wheat and barley. Other stages, like eggs, larvae, and pupae, are not capable of surviving the harsh winter conditions, as they require warmth and are more vulnerable to cold and predation. Therefore, the choice of the adult stage as the overwintering phase is significant for the survival and life cycle of the cereal leaf beetle.